I know everyone is sick of this question...but where should I go?

[kat13]

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I am having a hard time deciding between a few schools and I need some help. I know that there are already several threads out there addressing questions similar to this, but I am desperate some good advice. I am trying to decide between MSUCOM and WEstern COMP. I know both have their good and bad qualities, but I just don't know how to make the final decision. What have other people used as their final deciding factor (and I am not a resident of either state)? Does anyone have helpful hints about either place? I just feel like I need something to jump out at me about one school or the other so that I know that I am making a good choice. Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[Green912]

Everything else being equal. $$$$$

 

[H0mersimps0n]

consider STRONGLY gut feelings. Have you seen my post about what factors go into deciding? See if anything off that list jumps out at you.

I'd say weigh, very heavily, living situation at each place. Where would you be safest, most-inexpensive, happiest living? I've heard Western isn't exactly in the nicest neightborhood but the weather might be better than MSU. I don't know, from what I've heard about western, I'd vote MSU.

let me know if you want to look over that thread on factors to help you decide...

EDIT nevermind it's right HERE

GOOD LUCK!

 

[stacyg]

From what I have seen and heard from Western, I would go with MSU. But Homer's right, go with your gut feeling.

 

[Toejam]

Homer! You're a stitch! You say the weather MIGHT be better in Southern California compared with Michigan??? That's probably the number one reason why so many damn people live here! I'm a native and I still love the fact that we can have a stretch of 70 degree days in February while the east coast is at a standstill.

In my opinion, the schools are more or less equal. The costs are pretty similar, too. That leaves 2 things: Where you want to live for the next 4 + years and, possibly, where you might want to settle down.

Pomona, itself, is not the greatest area to live in. There are many other options, however, and all are within 30-40 minutes from campus. I live about 10 miles from the ocean (Hollywood) and it only takes me 45-50 minutes to get to school. Granted, that does suck, but I'm all the way into the western part of L.A. There are so, so, so many places to choose from...

Again, IMHO, L.A has a good number of wierdos and people who could care less about you. My guess is that Michigan isn't like that. Pomona and the outskirts get disgustingly smoggy during the warmer months. I don't know about MSU. The surrounding at Pomona are pretty sterile, lacking character. I don't know about MSU. The L.A. area has an absolute TON of things to do on your off time. MSU? Probably not as much. Warm weather is much better than freezing-ass weather.

I vote COMP (I'll be there in August)

 

[maysqrd]

If I am not mistaken, doesn't MSU charge big $$$$$$ for out of state residents? Like to the tune of $10K more than you would pay for COMP. I think the current tuition for COMP is $29-30K while MSU out-of-state are paying $38-39K.

I would weigh in the money factor and if that is not an issue for you, then take a look at living conditions. I am a native Californian but I would NEVER live in SoCal. I absolutely can't stand the LA area, regardless of how sunny it is in the middle of winter. For that reason alone, I would take snow in Michigan any day. I would choose safer living conditions over weather and it is my understanding that you will need a 1 hour commute in order to get into a decent area to live if you plan on going to COMP. Just my opinion.

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

well.....here is my opinion.....

i'm from southern cal......i live 7 blocks from the ocean. I agree that this is one of the best places in the country to live. But I don't agree with toejam about western. I have been to both MSU and COMP. I didn't get into MSU, but if I had to decide between those schools I would have chosen MSU. Now, that being said, I have chosen to go to CCOM.

I was not impressed with a few things at COMP. One is the campus. it's depressing and ugly. I was also a little worried about the clinicals there. They aren't organized very well, and I feel that being in so cal, there could be much better hospitals and options for the students to choose from.

But....... I'm not saying that COMP is not a good school. On the contrary, I think it is very good. And having worked in healthcare for nine years, I know it has a good reputation around here.

That's just my opinion. And hopefully I won't be eating crow if I end up at COMP next year. LOL ( but i'm pretty sure I won't change my mind about CCOM. That school is outstanding.

 

[kat13]

Thanks for all of your input, it really helps to get outside opinions. I am always wondering what other people think about these schools, which is why I love SDN. I think that I am just scared to make a wrong decision, especially since this decision seems so huge and final. I will just need to go over all of my reasons for/against each school and decide that way. If anyone has any more thoughts on the matter I would still love to hear them. Thanks again!

 

[DtothaO]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but can't you apply to be a resident of michigan after your first year, thus being eligible for in-state tuition? That might help a lot with the money issue. Since COMP is a private institution, you can't do the same thing.

Just speaking from my perspective, the things i like about MSU are the nationally ranked program (US News &World Report), the fact that it's associated with a major university and it's allopathic program, the athletic teams to rout for (that's just me though 🙂 ), and it's academic reputation.

However, i'm from los angeles, so that is the thing i like about COMP. Being raised here, i want to stay here, i have deep roots here. I'm not sure if this helps, since it seems that you're from oregon.

Just thought i'd add my two cents.

 

[apass]

Originally posted by DtothaO
Correct me if i'm wrong, but can't you apply to be a resident of michigan after your first year, thus being eligible for in-state tuition?

I have checked this out and I believe that you have to marry a MI resident and that is the only way. This is posted on the CHM website

 

[GoForIt]

I have checked this out and I believe that you have to marry a MI resident and that is the only way. This is posted on the CHM website

That is not true. Marriage is not the ONLY way to pay the in-state tuition. What you can do is to delay matriculation and work there for one year. I know that Michigan State would give you the deferment. It takes less time to call the admission office and ask for deferment, than to find the right someone to marry 🙂

Your question about COMP and MSUCOM. First of all, you are in a win-win situation. Both schools are great. I have children graduated from COMP and my youngest daughter attends MSUCOM. They absolutely love their respective schools.

There are tons of differences between COMP and MSUCOM and I could spend hours talking about them. However, since most posters mention weather and location safety, I will briefly touch these two topics:

Having done graduate study at University of Oregon and put up with those monsoon seasons, I think that weather would be a big concern for you. IMO you might adapt easier to the warmer So. Cal climate than the "sub-zero in the winter and high humidity/hot in the summer" weather in Michigan. Can you put up with this kind of weather for possibly 10 years? (4 years med school, 1 year internship, possibly 4 years specialty and 1 year fellowship).

There are safe and non-safe places in Pomona and East Lansing. Don't let anyone fool you. I should know because I went apartment hunting near those two schools for my children. Your best bet is to check with the local police department, or ask employees of the property management company about locations and the apartment complex.

Best of luck.

 

[apass]

I didn't think deferment was an option sorry. Sure if you work full time there for a year like in all states you can get residency. You just can't live in MI and get residency that is all I was saying.